Christian singer and songwriter John Mark McMillan released his fourth album titled Borderland today, courtesy of Lionhawk Records. In addition, McMillan recently announced the dates to his future "Are We All Animals Tour" starting later this month on March 29 in Orlando, FL.

McMillan was kind enough to answer a few questions for Breathecast about his new record and his upcoming tour.

BreathCast: How does this latest album Borderland differ from your other albums?

John Mark McMillan: I think the big difference is sonically. I believe this is the "biggest" sounding album we've ever done. We used a wider variety of instrumentation than in the past and created many more layers. There were songs on the album that had over 300 tracks before we started editing. So there's a lot going on this time around.

BC: What will your fans hear on this album that they haven't previously heard from your other albums?

JMM: There's a significant amount of piano on this record and a lot less acoustic guitar. It's less of a rock record than our previous releases and leans more toward eclectic. We focused in on developing melody and I think you can see maturity in the lyrics as well.

BC: You have stated earlier that Borderland is a "place between places," what influenced or inspired you to come up with the Borderland name for the album?

JMM: It's just a picture of how we all live - the lines we walk and the roles we balance. It's commentary on the dualistic expectations that are often associated with faith-based art or even the ideals of worship in general. We like to draw these lines between what we consider sacred and profane, but they all exist together in the same world where we live. Things are not so pretty and neat all the time and thats okay.

BC: The song "Future/Past" can be interpreted in many ways as far re-establishing and reconnecting with friends, family members and your relationship with God. What was your intended message and thought process in writing that song?

JMM: I don't write with a message in mind. I'm more interested in capturing a moment. I think the moment I was trying to capture in that song is just the idea that friendship is the greatest part of life and friendship with Jesus is the best kind of friendship.

(Photo : MergePR)
John Mark McMillan

BC: Why is the tone and mood of the song "Counting On" more somber than the other songs on the Borderland album?

JMM: I love sad songs. Sad songs are my favorite. "Counting On" was the most honest song I think i've ever written. The idea is just that I'm at the end of myself, even to the point where I don't have it in me to believe anything for myself. So for better or worse I'm counting on someone else, someone who isn't me. Obviously that someone could be Jesus or God, but the song is about the idea of needing someone else. For me it was Jesus for sure, but it can be applied in many ways.

BC: What does the black leopard on the album cover symbolize?

JMM: It doesn't have a specific meaning as much as it communicates the overall feel of the album. However, it could speak to the fragility of self-preservation.

BC: Are there any musicians past or present that inspired you to become a performer?

JMM: Springsteen, Dylan, Phil Collins, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Martin Smith, The Rhinehart brothers, Justin Vernon, James Blake....

BC: What does it mean to be not just an artist but a Christian artist?

JMM: Honestly, the term "Christian artist" means nothing to me. I'm a believer only because I think Jesus offers a better life, and if I write music about Jesus it's only because he's part of my daily life. If the term helps people find a shelf to place the CD, that's cool. But I feel no need to separate myself into a subcategory based on my belief system.

BC: The Borderland album will be released in stores on March 4. Your tour begins on March 29, what plans do you have in store for your upcoming "Are We All Animals Tour?"

JMM: I'm excited to bring my friend Brady Toops out for a bunch of those dates and we'll be touring with a larger band than ever before. We may also build a jungle on the stage... but you'll just need to be there to find out!

McMillan has released four albums since 2002. In addition, McMillan is an ambassador for World Vision and an advocate for its charitable work in Bahkari, India.

"Are We All Animals Tour" dates are listed at the link and additional dates are being added at press time. A modernized list of tour dates will be accessible at johnmarkmcmillan.com/tour.